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Cardiac Events



Cardiac events refer to a range of conditions or occurrences related to the heart, which can lead to serious complications or even death. These events can be classified into two main categories: acute and chronic. Acute events occur suddenly and require immediate medical attention, while chronic events develop over time and may worsen gradually.

Some of the most common cardiac events include:

  1. Myocardial infarction (heart attack): A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually due to a blood clot. This can cause the heart muscle to be damaged or die. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and lightheadedness.
  2. Cardiac arrest: Cardiac arrest is the sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness. It is usually caused by an electrical disturbance in the heart, which disrupts its pumping action. Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency and requires immediate CPR and advanced life support to increase the chances of survival.
  3. Angina pectoris (chest pain): Angina is a symptom of reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, often due to coronary artery disease (CAD). It manifests as chest pain or discomfort that may radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, or back. Angina can be stable (predictable pattern of symptoms) or unstable (unexpected and may signal an impending heart attack).
  4. Heart failure: Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart muscle cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It can result from various causes, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or heart muscle damage. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention.
  5. Arrhythmias: Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms resulting from electrical disturbances in the heart. They can be harmless, but some can be life-threatening. Some common types include atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation.
  6. Valvular heart disease: This refers to damage or defects in one or more of the heart valves, which can affect blood flow within the heart. Valvular heart disease can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developed later in life). Examples include aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, and mitral valve prolapse.
  7. Cardiomyopathy: Cardiomyopathies are a group of diseases that affect the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. There are several types, such as dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
  8. Pericarditis: Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. It can cause chest pain and may be associated with infections, autoimmune conditions, or heart injury.

Prevention of cardiac events involves managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, diabetes, and physical inactivity. A healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can significantly reduce the risk of cardiac events.

If you or someone you know experiences symptoms of a cardiac event, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Early intervention is crucial for survival and better outcomes.



Cardiac Events prepares one for the pre and post procedure care of the patient. Useful images & videos and the tips on diet and physical activity included and diagnostic and treatment procedure covered help in being adequately prepared.

Pre and Post Procedure Patient Care:

  1. Myocardial Infarction or MI - also referred to as heart attack, occurs when the surface of a plaque ruptures and the thrombosis blocks blood supply to the heart.
  2. Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) - Certain types of heart attacks are associated with chest pain and a group of symptoms such as pain/discomfort in the arms, shoulder, back, neck, jaw or abdomen, nausea, sweating, lightheadedness & shortness of breath.

Immediate Attention

  1. Administration of antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin to prevent adhesions and further clot formation.
  2. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or chest compression to restore blood flow.
  3. ECG would determine the need for administering clot busting drugs.
  4. Oxygen and intravenous lines are secured for drug administration.
  5. Analgesic may be administered to reduce pain.
  6. Electric shock from a defibrillator may be applied in case of serious arrhythmical and cardiac arrest.

Diagnostic Procedures

  1. 2 blood tests to detect presence of cardiac bio- markers troponin-T and troponin-I - one immediately after and the other 12 hours after the event.
  2. Other markers such as creatinine phosphokinase may also be measured.

Treatment procedures

  1. Nitroglycerin administered to dilate blood vessels of the heart.
  2. Thrombolytic treatment by way of clot busting drugs injected via catheter.
  3. When thrombolytic therapy fails, angioplasty is done to dilate the blocked artery.
  4. Stents are sometimes used during angioplasty to prevent restenosis in the artery.
  5. If artery is severely narrowed, or the block reappears or if angioplasty is inappropriate for the patient, a bypass graft becomes necessary.
  6. The grafted vein is attached to the aorta and to the artery beyond the block, to allow normal blood flow in the affected artery.

Myocardial Infarction - Aftercare

Reduce your risk of having another MI or developing further heart problems by following these tips.
  • Smokers should give up smoking to reduce risk of having a further MI-use nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine gum etc) to overcome the urge.
  • Oil-rich fish - mackerel, sardines, salmon, fresh tuna, etc. reduce build up of atheroma due to presence of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil.

Diet

  1. Bulk of most meals should be cholesterol-free, low-fat, and starch-based - cereals, wholegrain bread, potatoes, rice, etc.
  2. Eat several portions and a variety of fruit and vegetables - being rich in vitamins, minerals and anti- oxidants, they protect against build up of atheroma.
  3. Control fat - not just the total fat content, but also the type of fat in the diet. Use low fat, mono and poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Avoid saturated fatty acids and trans fats like fatty meats, cheeses, full-cream milk, fried foods, butter, etc.
  4. Choose lean meat such as poultry rather than red meat.
  5. Choose a vegetable oil such as sunflower, rapeseed or olive oil.
  6. Drink sensibly - A little alcohol may help as alcohol may affect the way atheroma is formed.

Keep a check on cholesterol level.

  1. Follow a diet to lower cholesterol.
  2. Drug to lower the cholesterol level may also be advised.
  3. Blood cholesterol level to be below 5mmol/l or to be reduced by 20-25% from original level, whichever is lower.
  4. Normal physical activity and regular exercise is advised to get back to normal.
  5. Usual advice about exercise is same as that applicable to anyone for health benefits.
  6. Need to do exercise regularly-gradually build up the level of activity and exercise.
  7. Regular exercise is a main part of cardiac rehabilitation programs and a major feature in reducing risk of having further MI.
  8. Strenuous exercise may not be advisable for people with heart valve problems.
  9. If obese or overweight, then reducing weight will reduce risk.

Regular blood pressure check

  1. If diabetic, good control of blood sugar will help reduce the risk of a further MI.
  2. Lower target will be advised for diabetics or with other conditions.
  3. Reduce blood pressure to below 140/90

Misconceptions about work after an MI

  1. Ensure this is done in a phased manner - light or less challenging duties to begin with & additional rest periods if tiredness poses a problem.
  2. Circumstances may vary, but an increase in activity is often preferable after an MI rather than taking it easy.

Learn to Relax

  1. Relaxation Exercises - muscular exercises and deep breathing exercises would be useful.
  2. A gradual increase in physical activity is good for the heart after an MI.
  3. Depression is common after an MI, usually worsened by unfounded concerns.
  4. People who become anxious can benefit from learning to relax in a positive way.


Transcript:-
Myocardial infarction is a massive decrease or complete obstruction of blood supply to part of the heart due to atherosclerosis. Embolous. Or thrombosis causing damage or death of some of the heart cells, also known as heart attack. It is characterized by symptoms of tiredness and pressure in the center of the chest that may cause pain.

Cardiac events refer to any cardiovascular condition, including angina. Myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome. Proper care following a cardiac event is necessary to reduce the risk of further damage and includes taking prescribed medications on time, following a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy height to weight ratio, regular exercise, keeping blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control. And avoiding risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.

Treadmill Exercise test is a diagnostic test done to evaluate the heart's electrical activity during exercise. During the test, the patient is made to walk on an incline treadmill, generally increased in speed and the heart rate breathing, blood pressure and electrocardiogram monitored treadmill. Exercise test is also known as treadmill test.

An echocardiogram is a test used to diagnose cardiovascular diseases. The technique produces video images of the heart using sound waves, providing information about the size, shape, and the chambers of the heart. More sophisticated echocardiograms allow advanced cross-sectional imaging of the beating heart, including chambers, valves, and the major blood vessels.

Angioplasty angioplasty is a procedure performed to widen blood vessels narrowed by atherosclerotic plaques during a heart catheterization. Blockages in the coronary arteries are cleared by compressing them against the vessel wall with an expanding balloon from within the artery.

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